You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.
Of your W2? Mail either an original or a copy. You usually get 4 copies from your employer. If you mail an original W2 make sure you have a copy for yourself.
When filing by mail you are required to attach an original copy of any W-2s that you have. What exactly “original“ means is more tricky these days. In the past, a W-2 was a multi part carbon paper form. The top copy or copy A, was sent to the IRS by the employer. The second best copy, copy B, is what you were supposed to attach to your tax return and send to the IRS. The copies behind copy B, which were of lesser quality, were for your records or for state income taxes.
These days, your W-2 is likely to be a single sheet of paper that has four copies computer printed and then it is folded and the edges are glued. Even though all the copies are of identical quality, one of them is labeled “copy B to be filed with your federal tax return“ and you should include that because that’s what the regulations say.
In some cases, you might opt to get your tax documents electronically from your employer in which case your W-2 is a PDF with 4 copies of the w-2 on one page, but even then, one of them will be labeled “to be filed with your federal tax return.“
Still have questions?
Make a postAsk questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.
JDH13
Level 1
LoJoSech
Level 1
ganolan1940
New Member
tf35sc
Level 1
duncan_ga
Level 2
Did the information on this page answer your question?
You have clicked a link to a site outside of the TurboTax Community. By clicking "Continue", you will leave the Community and be taken to that site instead.